Lately we've had a lot of people ask about where we are in our adoption journey, so here it is...
After passing our homestudy back in October
(Mom, don't forget to pause my music first, on the right hand side, in the green box ;)
we set about completing the rest of our application for domestic adoption, specifically what's called
"Transracial adoption",
which means a willingness to adopt a child of any race.
We have recently submitted the first draft of our profile book and are reprinting it for the required 4 copies. No small feat for this non-scrapbooker. If it hadn't been for Cha-Cha's insistence and weeks of snow days I fear it would have taken me until Spring.
If you had asked me three years ago, when we first began this journey, if I thought it would've taken this long, I would not have accepted or believed it. There have been high and lows throughout the process. However, throughout it all my dear, amazing husband has never wavered in his commitment and passion towards our adoption. Even when I have had my doubts and days of thinking, "what are we doing/thinking?", he has always been sure footed and strong, just two of the many reasons I'm madly in love with this man.
A friend mentioned recently that often times when we set about to do something that God places on our hearts we are criticized for a
"look at me, aren't we something? you should be doing this" mentality.
Furthermore, I know adoption isn't for everyone. I know that. I do know that it is something God has put on our hearts and something that we as a family have fully embraced and are extremely excited about. I do know that the Bible says in
James 1:27
"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
So as my friend, I would ask you to:
~Pray for the orphans of this world
~Pray for the families who are stepping out in faith to adopt
~Find ways to financially support orphans, I can refer you to a few great resources
Next week I'll be discussing adoption etiquette (terms, what not to say/ask, how to support those in the process of). I do not claim to be the expert but honey, let me tell you, we have heard some bizarre-o questions that would make your toes curl. As someone who sticks her foot in her mouth almost daily I want to save you from the same mistakes I've made.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by.
Love and Blessings,
1. This video of ya'll dancing/celebrating is FANTASTIC!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete2. I am sooooo thrilled for ya'll that your adoption is proceeding. I will start praying daily for you.
3. I will be finished with a post soon about my adoption story.
4. Please know that however difficult the process is, that what you are doing for that child is MIRACULOUS! I mean that with every fiber of my being and my whole heart because adoption truly changed my life and my brother's. I was almost 6 and he was almost 10 and should never have been adopted at that age, but then God intervened. People throw around "life changing" a lot. But there are some real things that are ABSOLUTELY life changing and adoption is one of them.
5. I thank you SO MUCH for being willing to do what you do. I work a lot with orphanages/orphans/was a guardian ad litem for foster kids, etc. We're trying to adopt, too, but then I was diagnosed with this connective tissue disorder, so everything temporarily stopped. One way or the other we'll be helping orphans, though as it's on our hearts, too.
6. Thank you SO MUCH for your super kind comment on my post. I will gladly give you my address! We leave in 9 days but I'll have the FPO address/general one before that (it's the same cost as mailing to the US)
7. Could you please email me your address as well and I'll send you an adoption uplifting thingie and maybe a CD if I can get myself together before we move!
Hugs/blessings/gratitude,
Lana
Good luck and keep moving forward Polly. What a great post, you are so right on all of it. Just remember all in God's time (I know you already know that), but the adoption process is rough but the reward in the end is SO WORTH IT. You will make a great adoptive mama. I love that you are willing to go the extra step and spread the message...even in the midst of your journey.
ReplyDelete***********
Hop on over to our {Adoptive Linky Party} for Soph's birthday. Link up or just leave a comment. I can't believe she's four!!
We went through the transracial adoption process....and adopted biracial twins! Hang in there and keep moving forward. One thing we did was call agencies all over the US. If you have any questions....or if I can encourage or help in any way, please don't hesitate to email me. Once we found the right agency, it was a wonderful process. (BTW-I have a girlfriend named Polly-such a great name)
ReplyDeletepolly.
ReplyDeleteyour video made me cry. it is a.MA.zing. truly. loved seeing you and jeff dancing, too... such a delight! and the music? perfect. love your future post, too... a perfectly positive way to affect people like me who don't always think before the words escape.
love2u
Polly, this post is so beautiful! I'm looking forward to meeting you in person soon! Thanks so much for saying hello to me on my blog! Have a wondrful weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank-you for your kind comment on my blog! It sounds like you will have quite a faith story to tell your child one day. Thank-you for the reminder to pray for orphans.
ReplyDelete